Q&A with new 49er Jonathan Martin

What follows is a transcript of offensive tackle Jonathan Martin's media conference call after his trade from the Miami Dolphins to the 49ers officially went through Thursday:

Question: Was this the best case scenario for you to continue your career?

Answer: "Absolutely. I think it worked out great, to once again play for Coach Harbaugh, to once again be in the Bay Area, to play for a winning franchise that's had a lot of recent success, and hopefully I'll be able to contribute to further success."

Q: What has your reception been from teammates?

A: "Yes, I've texted with Joe Staley as well as tweeted with Anthony Davis. I can tell already I'll get along just great with those guys. I felt a warm welcome from the entire 49ers community, fan base, coaching staff, everybody. I'm looking forward to the future and getting back to playing football."

Q: Coach Harbaugh talked about this as an 'Etch-A-Sketch' opportunity. What do you see yourself doing with it?

A: "That's a great analogy. It's a blank slate for me. I'm looking forward to revitalizing my career and getting back to playing. I've started 23 games to date and I'm a young player, but I've had some starting experience. I want to do whatever I can to contribute to this O-line. It's one of the best in football already. They have five great starters. I'm going to try and find my role on this team and do what I can to help them get to the next level."

Q: Will you wear No. 71 now that Quinton Dial has changed his number?

A: "Yeah, if 71's available, I'll definitely grab that if I can. I'm just excited to be here. It's exciting to be at the facility and seeing the stadium going up right next to it."

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Q: Have coaches talked to you about position versatility, playing inside and outside?

A: "The way I'm approaching it, I have to earn my spot on this team. I'm the new guy in the locker room. They have one of the best O-lines. I do have some starting experience. I've played both right tackle and left tackle. But at the same time, I'm open to anything. I'll do whatever's asked of me to contribute to this team. That's all that matters to me at this point."

Q: With everything that happened, do you have any regrets about the way you handled it?

A: "You could say this or that could have gone differently. Hindsight is 20/20. My mindset is focused 100 percent on the future and move forward. Like Coach Harbaugh's analogy, shake that Etch-A-Sketch, move forward and get back to playing football."

Q: Did you talk to Harbaugh after you left the Dolphins? Is that relationship a reason you wanted to come to the 49ers?

A: "I've always had a great relationship with Coach Harbaugh. He recruited me out of high school. He gave me an opportunity to start at tackle for a winning Stanford program for three years. His enthusiasm is infectious. You can see it at every level of the organization. It rubs off on everybody. To be around a winning atmosphere and a coach focused on winning is the best situation I could ask for."

Q: Did you communicate with him throughout this?

A: "I did not. I saw his comments. I'm grateful for the support. Coach Harbaugh is a heck of a coach. I'm trying to be part of the 49ers."

Q: How much thought did you consider retiring and not going after a second chance?

A: "That didn't even cross my mind at any point. I'm a football player. I've been a football player my entire adult life. My goal is to have a successful career. I'm just looking forward to the future and succeeding as long as I can as a member of the San Francisco 49ers and hopefully retire as a 10-year vet."

Q: How long have you been working out for the 2014 season?

A: "For several months now, I've been at school at Stanford, so they gave me a chance to be around the strength and conditioning staff up there. It's one of the best in the nation. ... I've had a chance to grind away on the field for quite some time now, and I think it will really pay dividends."

Q: When thinking about your future, was this the first team that jumped in your head?

A: "I was open to whatever would get me back on a football team and playing football again. It worked out great. This is a winning organization and they're that close to getting to the top. Just to be part of that in a great locker room around great players, I couldn't be happier."

Q: What are you studying at Stanford?

A: "I'm a Classics major."

Q: Going for undergraduate degree?

A: "I'm finishing up my undergraduate in the offseason. They gave me an opportunity to work out and get a head start on the offseason."

Q: Do you have experience playing guard?

A: "I've never played guard. I've played right or left tackle. From what I've heard from others, the transition is easier going in that going out. I've never been inside, but I'm open to playing any position, be it guard, tackle, center, heavy tight end. Whatever's asked of me, I'll be ready to do it."

Q: Can you read the Odyssey in Greek?

A: "I cannot read Greek. But I'm functional in Latin. I've read the Odyssey a couple times, but I'm not that good at it."

Q: What about the offensive system fits what you do?

A: "It's a similar philosophy to what we had when I was an undergrad at Stanford: a smash-mouth, run-first offense. We had a lot of success in college and they've had a lot so far. They have a blueprint for how to succeed in the NFL and football in general, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Q: Why are you a Classics major?

A: "So Andrew Phillips was a left guard I played next to for two years. He was big into Classics and we'd be talking about it, I had a locker next to him. He asked me to take class on Greek gods and I liked it so I decided to make it my major."

Q: Is there a favorite piece of literature?

A: "I just finished reading the story of Odysseus once he leaves the Trojan War on his journey home. I like Plato's Symposium. I could keep going."

Q: Do you feel like it's coming home?

"I don't make that analogy. I'm just trying to be part of the team. I do feel like I'm at home, back in California, back around people I know and I'm excited to play football again in a month."

Q: Are you a senior?

A: "Yes."

Q: How has it helped you being around other NFL players?

A: "All those guys are my close friends, Andrew Luck, Richard Sherman, Chase Thomas, David Castro. They've never doubted me. They know me as a person and a football player. It's great to be around them. They've had success in the pros. I'm trying to get personal success and team success."

Q: What did it mean when Harbaugh spoke out and said he was behind you through all this?

A: "It means a lot. I've known Coach Harbaugh a number of years. He recruited me out of high school. He's a great coach and a stand-up guy."

Q: Some people think you broke NFL code by leaving the team and you should have toughed it out. What's your response?

A: "I'm not worried about that. All that's in the past at this point. I'm just looking forward to moving forward and getting back to playing football. My focus is 100 percent on being a member of the 49ers, playing on this line and helping this team win football games."